You Shall Not Covet
Romans 7:7
What does it mean to covet?
The Larger Westminster catechism explains it this way:
Q-146: Which is the 10th commandment?
A: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbors.
Q-147: What are the duties required in the 10th commandment?
A: The duties required in the 10th commandment are, such a full contentment with our own condition, and such a charitable frame of the whole soul toward our neighbor, as that all our inward motions and affections touching him, tend unto, and further all that good which is his.
Q-148: What are the sins forbidden in the 10th commandment?
A: the sins forbidden in the 10th commandment are, discontentment with our own estate, envying, at the good of our neighbor, together with all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his.
Notice that this commandment, to a greater degree than the others goes to the core of our being.
It is not enough just to not steal- don’t covet what your neighbor possesses.
It is not enough to not commit adultery- don’t covet your neighbor’s spouse.
It is not enough to not murder- don’t hate your neighbor!
Now also notice- the Westminster catechism stresses contentment. What is this contentment? Is it wrong to desire to better ourselves or improve our condition? No, not at all. However, we must guard against making the increase of wealth our main concern in life or setting it up as the object of our hope. We also must guard against lustfully desiring what position, goods or lot in life God has entrusted to our neighbor.
The New Testament teaches productivity and investment. It teaches diligence and industriousness.
It takes for granted that the fruit of labor leads to the increase of goods. It only mandates that that increase is received with thanksgiving, charitableness and proper perspective.
To idolatrously hoard and lust after things is sin. On the other hand, to receive things from the Lord’s hand with gratefulness and charity is God glorifying.
The heart is the heart of the matter. Guard your heart.
Because of grace,
Tim
